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Abstract:

The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 468300G.
Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and
derivatives of the cotton variety 468300G. Also provided by the invention
are tissue cultures of the cotton variety 468300G and the plants
regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are
methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety
468300G with itself or another cotton variety and plants produced by such
methods.

Claims:

1. A cell comprising at least a first set of chromosomes of cotton variety
468300G, wherein a sample of seed of said variety has been deposited
under ATCC Accession No. PTA-8886.

2. The cell of claim 1, wherein the cell is a cell of cotton variety,
wherein a sample of seed of said variety has been deposited under ATCC
Accession No. PTA-8886.

3. A plant of cotton variety 468300G, wherein the plant comprises cells
according to claim 2.

4. A plant part of the plant of claim 3, wherein the plant part comprises
cells according to claim 2.

5. The plant part of claim 3, further defined as pollen, meristem or an
ovule.

6. A tissue culture of regenerable cells according to claim 2.

7. A seed of cotton variety 468300G, wherein the seed comprises cells
according to claim 2.

8. A cotton plant regenerated from the tissue culture of claim 6, wherein
the regenerated cotton plant expresses all of the physiological and
morphological characteristics of the cotton variety 468300G.

9. A method of producing cotton seed, comprising crossing the plant of
claim 3 with itself or a second cotton plant.

10. The method of claim 9, defined as comprising crossing the plant of
claim 3 with a second, distinct cotton plant.

11. An F1 hybrid seed produced by the method of claim 10, wherein the
seed comprises cells according to claim 1.

12. An F1 hybrid plant produced by growing the seed of claim 11,
wherein the plant comprises cells according to claim 1.

13. A method of producing a plant of cotton variety 468300G comprising an
added desired trait, the method comprising introducing a transgene
conferring the desired trait into the plant of claim 3.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the desired trait is herbicide
tolerance and the tolerance is conferred to an herbicide selected from
the group consisting of glyphosate, sulfonylurea, imidazalinone, dicamba,
glufosinate, phenoxy proprionic acid, cyclohexanedione, triazine,
benzonitrile and broxynil.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the desired trait is insect resistance
and the transgene encodes a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) endotoxin.

17. A plant produced by the method of claim 13, wherein the plant
comprises the desired trait and otherwise comprises all of the
physiological and morphological characteristics of cotton variety 468300G
when grown in the same environmental conditions, wherein a sample of seed
of said variety has been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-8886.

18. A method of introducing a single locus conversion into cotton variety
468300G comprising:(a) crossing a plant of variety 468300G with a second
plant according to the method of claim 10 to produce cotton seed, wherein
the second plant comprises a desired single locus;(b) growing F1
progeny plants from the seed and selecting at least a first a first
F1 progeny plant that has the single locus to produce selected
F1 progeny plants;(c) crossing the selected progeny plants with at
least a first plant of variety 468300G to produce backcross progeny
plants;(d) selecting backcross progeny plants that have the single locus
and physiological and morphological characteristics of cotton variety
468300G to produce selected backcross progeny plants; and(e) repeating
steps (c) and (d) one or more times in succession to produce selected
second or higher backcross progeny plants that comprise the single locus
and otherwise comprise all of the physiological and morphological
characteristics of cotton variety 468300G when grown in the same
environmental conditions.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the trait is tolerance to an herbicide
selected from the group consisting of glyphosate, sulfonylurea,
imidazalinone, dicamba, glufosinate, phenoxy proprionic acid,
cyclohexanedione, triazine, benzonitrile and broxynil.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the trait is insect resistance and the
insect resistance is conferred by a transgene encoding a Bacillus
thuringiensis endotoxin.

22. The plant of claim 3, further defined as comprising a single locus
conversion.

23. A method of producing an inbred cotton plant derived from the cotton
variety 468300G, the method comprising the steps of:(a) obtaining cotton
seed according to the method of claim 10 and growing at least a first
seed to produce a progeny plant;(b) crossing the progeny plant with
itself or a second plant to produce a seed of a progeny plant of a
subsequent generation;(c) growing a progeny plant of a subsequent
generation from said seed and crossing the progeny plant of a subsequent
generation with itself or a second plant; and(d) repeating steps (b) and
(c) for an additional 3-10 generations with sufficient inbreeding to
produce an inbred cotton plant derived from the cotton variety 468300G,
wherein a sample of seed of said variety has been deposited under ATCC
Accession No. PTA-8886.

24. A commodity plant product comprising at least a first cell according
to claim 1.

Description:

[0001]This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Appl. Ser.
No. 61/038,357, filed Mar. 20, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]1. Field of the Invention

[0003]The present invention relates generally to the field of cotton
breeding. In particular, the invention relates to the novel cotton
variety 468300G.

[0004]2. Description of Related Art

[0005]There are numerous steps in the development of any novel, desirable
plant germplasm. Plant breeding begins with the analysis and definition
of problems and weaknesses of the current germplasm, the establishment of
program goals, and the definition of specific breeding objectives. The
next step is selection of germplasm that possess the traits to meet the
program goals. The goal is to combine in a single variety an improved
combination of desirable traits from the parental germplasm. These
important traits may include resistance to diseases and insects,
tolerance to drought and heat, tolerance to herbicides, improvements in
fiber traits and numerous other agronomic traits that may be desirable to
the farmer or end user.

[0006]Choice of breeding or selection methods depends on the mode of plant
reproduction, the heritability of the trait(s) being improved, and the
type of variety used commercially (e.g., F1 hybrid variety, pureline
variety, etc.). For highly heritable traits, a choice of superior
individual plants evaluated at a single location will be effective,
whereas for traits with low heritability, selection should be based on
mean values obtained from replicated evaluations of families of related
plants. Popular selection methods commonly include pedigree selection,
modified pedigree selection, mass selection, recurrent selection and
backcrossing.

[0007]The complexity of inheritance influences choice of the breeding
method. Backcross breeding is used to transfer one or a few favorable
genes for a highly heritable trait into a desirable variety. This
approach has been used extensively for breeding disease-resistant plant
varieties. Various recurrent selection techniques are used to improve
quantitatively inherited traits controlled by numerous genes. The use of
recurrent selection in self-pollinating crops depends on the ease of
pollination, the frequency of successful hybrids from each pollination,
and the number of offspring from each successful cross.

[0008]Each breeding program should include a periodic, objective
evaluation of the efficiency of the breeding procedure. Evaluation
criteria vary depending on the goal and objectives, but should include
gain from selection per year based on comparisons to an appropriate
standard, overall value of the advanced breeding lines, and number of
successful varieties produced per unit of input (e.g., per year, per
dollar expended, etc.).

[0009]Promising advanced breeding lines are thoroughly tested and compared
to appropriate standards in environments representative of the commercial
target area(s) for generally three or more years. The best lines are
candidates for new commercial varieties. Those still deficient in a few
traits may be used as parents to produce new populations for further
selection.

[0010]These processes, which lead to the final step of marketing and
distribution, may take as much as eight to 12 years from the time the
first cross is made. Therefore, development of new varieties is a
time-consuming process that requires precise forward planning, efficient
use of resources, and a minimum of changes in direction.

[0011]A most difficult task is the identification of individuals that are
genetically superior, because for most traits the true genotypic value is
masked by other confounding plant traits or environmental factors. One
method of identifying a superior plant is to observe its performance
relative to other experimental plants and to one or more widely grown
standard varieties. Single observations are generally inconclusive, while
replicated observations provide a better estimate of genetic worth.

[0012]The goal of plant breeding is to develop new, unique and superior
cotton varieties. The breeder initially selects and crosses two or more
parental lines, followed by repeated selfing and selection, producing
many new genetic combinations. Each year, the plant breeder selects the
germplasm to advance to the next generation. This germplasm is grown
under unique and different geographical, climatic and soil conditions,
and further selections are then made, during and at the end of the
growing season. The varieties which are developed are unpredictable. This
unpredictability is because the breeder's selection occurs in unique
environments, with no control at the DNA level (using conventional
breeding procedures), and with millions of different possible genetic
combinations being generated. A breeder of ordinary skill in the art
cannot predict the final resulting lines he develops, except possibly in
a very gross and general fashion. The same breeder cannot produce the
same variety twice by using the exact same original parents and the same
selection techniques. This unpredictability results in the expenditure of
large amounts of research monies to develop superior new cotton
varieties.

[0013]Pureline cultivars, such as generally used in cotton and many other
crops, are commonly bred by hybridization of two or more parents followed
by selection. The complexity of inheritance, the breeding objectives and
the available resources influence the breeding method. The development of
new varieties requires development and selection, the crossing of
varieties and selection of progeny from superior crosses.

[0014]Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection breeding methods are used
to develop varieties from breeding populations. Breeding programs combine
desirable traits from two or more varieties or various broad-based
sources into breeding pools from which varieties are developed by selfing
and selection of desired phenotypes. The new varieties are evaluated to
determine which have commercial potential.

[0015]Pedigree breeding is commonly used for the improvement of
self-pollinating crops. Two parents which possess favorable,
complementary traits are crossed to produce an F1. An F2
population is produced by selfing one or several F1 plants.
Selection of the best individuals may begin in the F2 population or
later depending upon objectives of the breeder; then, beginning in the
F3, the best individuals in the best families can be selected.
Replicated testing of families can begin in the F3 or F4
generation to improve the effectiveness of selection for traits with low
heritability. At an advanced stage of inbreeding (i.e., F6 and
F7), the best lines or mixtures of phenotypically similar lines are
typically tested for potential release as new varieties.

[0016]Mass and recurrent selections can be used to improve populations of
either self-or cross-pollinating crops. A genetically variable population
of heterozygous individuals is either identified or created by
intercrossing several different parents. The best plants are selected
based on individual superiority, outstanding progeny, or excellent
combining ability. The selected plants are intercrossed to produce a new
population in which further cycles of selection are continued.

[0017]The single-seed descent procedure in the strict sense refers to
planting a segregating population, harvesting a sample of one seed per
plant, and using the one-seed sample to plant the next generation. When
the population has been advanced from the F2 to the desired level of
inbreeding, the plants from which lines are derived will each trace to
different F2 individuals. The number of plants in a population
declines each generation due to failure of some seeds to germinate or
some plants to produce at least one seed. As a result, not all of the
F2 plants originally sampled in the population will be represented
by a progeny when generation advance is completed.

[0018]The modified single seed descent procedures involve harvesting
multiple seed (i.e., a single lock or a simple boll) from each plant in a
population and combining them to form a bulk. Part of the bulk is used to
plant the next generation and part is put in reserve. This procedure has
been used to save labor at harvest and to maintain adequate seed
quantities of the population. The multiple-seed procedure may be used to
save labor. It is considerably faster to gin bolls with a machine than to
remove one seed by hand for the single-seed procedure. The multiple-seed
procedure also makes it possible to plant the same number of seeds of a
population each generation of inbreeding. Enough seeds are harvested to
make up for those plants that did not germinate or produce seed.

[0019]Descriptions of other breeding methods that are commonly used for
different traits and crops can be found in one of several reference books
(e.g., Allard, 1960; Simmonds, 1979; Sneep et al., 1979; Fehr, 1987a,b).

[0020]Proper testing should detect any major faults and establish the
level of superiority or improvement over current varieties. In addition
to showing superior performance, there must be a demand for a new variety
that is compatible with industry standards or which creates a new market.
The introduction of a new variety will incur additional costs to the seed
producer, the grower, processor and consumer; for special advertising and
marketing, altered seed and commercial production practices, and new
product utilization. The testing preceding release of a new variety
should take into consideration research and development costs as well as
technical superiority of the final variety. For seed-propagated
varieties, it must be feasible to produce seed easily and economically.

[0021]The two cotton species commercially grown in the United States are
Gossypium hirsutum, commonly known as short staple or upland cotton and
Gossypium barbadense, commonly known as extra long staple (ELS) or, in
the United States, as Pima cotton. Upland cotton fiber is used in a wide
array of coarser spin count products. Pima cotton is used in finer spin
count yarns (50-80) which are primarily used in more expensive garments.
Other properties of Pima cotton are critical because of fiber end use.

[0022]Cotton is an important and valuable field crop. Thus, a continuing
goal of plant breeders is to develop stable, high yielding cotton
varieties that are agronomically sound. The reasons for this goal are
obviously to maximize the amount and quality of the fiber produced on the
land used and to supply fiber, oil and food for animals and humans. To
accomplish this goal, the cotton breeder must select and develop plants
that have the traits that result in superior cultivars.

[0023]The goal of a commercial cotton breeding program is to develop new,
unique and superior cotton varieties. In cotton, important traits include
higher fiber (lint) yield, earlier maturity, improved fiber quality,
resistance to diseases and insects, tolerance to drought and heat, and
improved agronomic traits. The breeder initially selects and crosses two
or more parental lines, followed by generation advancement and selection,
thus producing many new genetic combinations. The breeder can
theoretically generate billions of different genetic combinations via
this procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0024]One aspect of the present invention relates to seed of the cotton
variety 468300G. The invention also relates to plants produced by growing
the seed of the cotton variety 468300G, as well as the derivatives of
such plants. As used herein, the term "plant" includes plant cells, plant
protoplasts, plant cells of a tissue culture from which cotton plants can
be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that are
intact in plants or parts of plants, such as pollen, flowers, seeds,
bolls, leaves, stems, and the like.

[0025]Another aspect of the invention relates to a tissue culture of
regenerable cells of the cotton variety 468300G, as well as plants
regenerated therefrom, wherein the regenerated cotton plant expresses all
the physiological and morphological characteristics of a plant grown from
the cotton seed designated 468300G.

[0026]Yet another aspect of the current invention is a cotton plant of the
cotton variety 468300G comprising at least a first transgene, wherein the
cotton plant is otherwise capable of expressing all the physiological and
morphological characteristics of the cotton variety 468300G. In
particular embodiments of the invention, a plant is provided that
comprises a single locus conversion. A single locus conversion may
comprise a transgenic gene which has been introduced by genetic
transformation into the cotton variety 468300G or a progenitor thereof. A
transgenic or non-transgenic single locus conversion can also be
introduced by backcrossing, as is well known in the art. In certain
embodiments of the invention, the single locus conversion may comprise a
dominant or recessive allele. The locus conversion may confer potentially
any desired trait upon the plant as described herein.

[0027]Still yet another aspect of the invention relates to a first
generation (F1) hybrid cotton seed produced by crossing a plant of
the cotton variety 468300G to a second cotton plant. Also included in the
invention are the F1 hybrid cotton plants grown from the hybrid seed
produced by crossing the cotton variety 468300G to a second cotton plant.
Still further included in the invention are the seeds of an F1
hybrid plant produced with the cotton variety 468300G as one parent, the
second generation (F2) hybrid cotton plant grown from the seed of
the F1 hybrid plant, and the seeds of the F2 hybrid plant.

[0028]Still yet another aspect of the invention is a method of producing
cotton seeds comprising crossing a plant of the cotton variety 468300G to
any second cotton plant, including itself or another plant of the variety
468300G. In particular embodiments of the invention, the method of
crossing comprises the steps of a) planting seeds of the cotton variety
468300G; b) cultivating cotton plants resulting from said seeds until
said plants bear flowers; c) allowing fertilization of the flowers of
said plants; and, d) harvesting seeds produced from said plants.

[0029]Still yet another aspect of the invention is a method of producing
hybrid cotton seeds comprising crossing the cotton variety 468300G to a
second, distinct cotton plant which is nonisogenic to the cotton variety
468300G. In particular embodiments of the invention, the crossing
comprises the steps of a) planting seeds of cotton variety 468300G and a
second, distinct cotton plant, b) cultivating the cotton plants grown
from the seeds until the plants bear flowers; c) cross pollinating a
flower on one of the two plants with the pollen of the other plant, and
d) harvesting the seeds resulting from the cross pollinating.

[0030]Still yet another aspect of the invention is a method for developing
a cotton plant in a cotton breeding program comprising: obtaining a
cotton plant, or its parts, of the variety 468300G; and b) employing said
plant or parts as a source of breeding material using plant breeding
techniques. In the method, the plant breeding techniques may be selected
from the group consisting of recurrent selection, mass selection, bulk
selection, backcrossing, pedigree breeding, genetic marker-assisted
selection and genetic transformation. In certain embodiments of the
invention, the cotton plant of variety 468300G is used as the male or
female parent.

[0031]Still yet another aspect of the invention is a method of producing a
cotton plant derived from the cotton variety 468300G, the method
comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a progeny plant derived from
cotton variety 468300G by crossing a plant of the cotton variety 468300G
with a second cotton plant; and (b) crossing the progeny plant with
itself or a second plant to produce a progeny plant of a subsequent
generation which is derived from a plant of the cotton variety 468300G.
In one embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises: (c)
crossing the progeny plant of a subsequent generation with itself or a
second plant; and (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) for at least 2-10
additional generations to produce an inbred cotton plant derived from the
cotton variety 468300G. Also provided by the invention is a plant
produced by this and the other methods of the invention. Plant variety
468300G-derived plants produced by this and the other methods of the
invention described herein may, in certain embodiments of the invention,
be further defined as comprising the traits of plant variety 468300G
given in Table 1.

[0032]The use of the word "a" or "an" when used in conjunction with the
term "comprising" in the claims and/or the specification may mean "one,"
but it is also consistent with the meaning of "one or more," "at least
one," and "one or more than one."

[0033]Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be
understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific
examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are
given by way of illustration only, since various changes and
modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034]The invention provides, in one aspect, methods and composition
relating to plants, seeds and derivatives of the cotton variety 468300G.
The cotton variety 468300G has been judged to be uniform for breeding
purposes and testing. The variety can be reproduced by planting and
growing seeds of the variety under self-pollinating or sib-pollinating
conditions, as is known to those of skill in the agricultural arts.
Variety 468300G shows no variants other than what would normally be
expected due to environment or that would occur for almost any
characteristic during the course of repeated sexual reproduction. The
results of an objective description of the variety are presented below,
in Table 1. Those of skill in the art will recognize that these are
typical values that may vary due to environment and that other values
that are substantially equivalent are within the scope of the invention.

[0035]The performance characteristics of cotton variety 468300G were also
analyzed and comparisons were made with competing varieties. The results
of the analysis are presented below, in Tables 2 through 4.

[0036]468300G was derived from an initial backcross breeding program to
incorporate the BollgardII® and Roundup Ready Flex® (B2RF) genes
using the experimental line CS_A0103 as the recurrent parent. CS_A0103
was developed from an initial cross of LA887/SG125. The donor,
CS_M0007/MON88913, was derived from an initial backcross breeding program
to incorporate the Roundup Ready Flex® (RF) gene using experimental
line SG125BX as a recurrent parent. SG125BX was developed from an initial
cross of SG125/DP50BX, with subsequent backcrossing with the recurrent
parent SG125. SG125BX was selected from the progeny from BC2F1
generation. The initial cross of SG125BX with the RF donor, Coker
312/Flex was made. Progeny from backcrossing were screened for presence
of RF and subsequent backcrosses were performed with SG125BX as the
recurrent parent. Only progeny from the BC2F2 generation that were
homozygous for the Roundup Ready Flex® gene and negative for the
presence of the BollgardII® genes were advanced to progeny rows.

[0037]CS_A0103RF progeny rows were grown and selected on visual
performance and HVI fiber data. Four lines equivalent in all measurable
characteristics were bulked together to produce the variety 468300G. In
the subsequent growing season, seed increases were again screened for the
absence and presence of the BollgardII® and the Roundup Ready
Flex® genes, respectively.

[0038]One aspect of the current invention concerns methods for crossing
the cotton variety 468300G with itself or a second plant and the seeds
and plants produced by such methods. These methods can be used for
propagation of the cotton variety 468300G, or can be used to produce
hybrid cotton seeds and the plants grown therefrom. A hybrid plant can be
used as a recurrent parent at any given stage in a backcrossing protocol
during the production of a single locus conversion of the cotton variety
468300G.

[0039]The variety of the present invention is well suited to the
development of new varieties based on the elite nature of the genetic
background of the variety. In selecting a second plant to cross with
468300G for the purpose of developing novel cotton varieties, it will
typically be desired to choose those plants which themselves exhibit one
or more selected desirable characteristics. Examples of potentially
desired characteristics include higher fiber (lint) yield, earlier
maturity, improved fiber quality, resistance to diseases and insects,
tolerance to drought and heat, and improved agronomic traits.

[0040]Any time the cotton variety 468300G is crossed with another,
different, variety, first generation (F1) cotton progeny are
produced. The hybrid progeny are produced regardless of characteristics
of the two parental varieties. As such, an F1 hybrid cotton plant
may be produced by crossing 468300G with any second cotton plant. The
second cotton plant may be genetically homogeneous (e.g., inbred) or may
itself be a hybrid. Therefore, any F1 hybrid cotton plant produced
by crossing cotton variety 468300G with a second cotton plant is a part
of the present invention.

[0041]Cotton plants can be crossed by either natural or mechanical
techniques. Natural pollination occurs in cotton either by self
pollination or natural cross pollination, which typically is aided by
pollinating organisms. In either natural or artificial crosses, flowering
and flowering time are important considerations.

[0042]The cotton flower is perfect in that the male and female structures
are in the same flower. The crossed or hybrid seed can be produced by
manual crosses between selected parents. Floral buds of the parent that
is to be the female can be emasculated prior to the opening of the flower
by manual removal of the male anthers. At flowering, the pollen from
flowers of the parent plants designated as male, can be manually placed
on the stigma of the previous emasculated flower. Seed developed from the
cross is known as first generation (F1) hybrid seed. Planting of
this seed produces F1 hybrid plants of which half their genetic
component is from the female parent and half from the male parent.
Segregation of genes begins at meiosis thus producing second generation
(F2) seed. Assuming multiple genetic differences between the
original parents, each F2 seed has a unique combination of genes.

[0043]Self-pollination occurs naturally in cotton with no manipulation of
the flowers. For the crossing of two cotton plants, it is typically
preferable to utilize artificial hybridization. In artificial
hybridization, the flower used as a female in a cross is manually cross
pollinated prior to maturation of pollen from the flower, thereby
preventing self fertilization, or alternatively, the male parts of the
flower are emasculated using a technique known in the art. Techniques for
emasculating the male parts of a cotton flower include, for example,
physical removal of the male parts, use of a genetic factor conferring
male sterility, and application of a chemical gametocide to the male
parts.

[0044]For artificial hybridization employing emasculation, flowers that
are expected to open the following day are selected on the female parent.
The buds are swollen and the corolla is just visible through the calyx or
has begun to emerge. Usually no more than two buds on a parent plant are
prepared, and all self-pollinated flowers or immature buds are removed
with forceps. Special care is required to remove immature buds that are
hidden under the stipules at the leaf axil, and could develop into
flowers at a later date. The flower is grasped between the thumb and
index finger and the location of the stigma determined by examining the
sepals. The calyx is removed by grasping a sepal with the forceps,
pulling it down and around the flower, and repeating the procedure until
the five sepals are removed. The exposed corolla is removed with care to
avoid injuring the stigma. Cross-pollination can then be carried out
using, for example, petri dishes or envelopes in which male flowers have
been collected. Desiccators containing calcium chloride crystals can be
used in some environments to dry male flowers to obtain adequate pollen
shed.

[0045]Either with or without emasculation of the female flower, hand
pollination can be carried out by removing the stamens and pistil with a
forceps from a flower of the male parent and gently brushing the anthers
against the stigma of the female flower. Access to the stamens can be
achieved by removing the front sepal and keel petals, or piercing the
keel with closed forceps and allowing them to open to push the petals
away. Brushing the anthers on the stigma causes them to rupture, and the
highest percentage of successful crosses is obtained when pollen is
clearly visible on the stigma. Pollen shed can be checked by tapping the
anthers before brushing the stigma. Several male flowers may have to be
used to obtain suitable pollen shed when conditions are unfavorable, or
the same male may be used to pollinate several flowers with good pollen
shed.

[0046]Cross-pollination is more common within rows than between adjacent
rows; therefore, it may be preferable to grow populations with genetic
male sterility on a square grid to create rows in all directions. For
example, single-plant hills on 50-cm centers may be used, with
subdivision of the area into blocks of an equal number of hills for
harvest from bulks of an equal amount of seed from male-sterile plants in
each block to enhance random pollination.

II. Improvement of Cotton Varieties

[0047]In certain further aspects, the invention provides plants modified
to include at least a first desired trait. Such plants may, in one
embodiment, be developed by a plant breeding technique called
backcrossing, wherein essentially all of the desired morphological and
physiological characteristics of a variety are recovered in addition to a
genetic locus transferred into the hybrid via the backcrossing technique.
The term backcrossing as used herein refers to the repeated crossing of a
hybrid progeny back to a starting variety into which introduction of the
desired trait is being carried out. The parental plant which contributes
the locus or loci for the desired trait is termed the nonrecurrent or
donor parent. This terminology refers to the fact that the nonrecurrent
parent is used one time in the backcross protocol and therefore does not
recur.

[0048]The parental cotton plant to which the locus or loci from the
nonrecurrent parent are transferred is known as the recurrent parent as
it is used for several rounds in the backcrossing protocol (Poehlman et
al., 1995; Fehr, 1987; Sprague and Dudley, 1988). In a typical backcross
protocol, the original line of interest (recurrent parent) is crossed to
a second variety (nonrecurrent parent) that carries the genetic locus to
be transferred. The resulting progeny from this cross are then crossed
again to the recurrent parent and the process is repeated until a cotton
plant is obtained wherein essentially all of the desired morphological
and physiological characteristics of the recurrent parent are recovered
in the converted plant, in addition to the transferred locus from the
nonrecurrent parent.

[0050]The selection of a suitable recurrent parent is an important step
for a successful backcrossing procedure. The goal of a backcross protocol
is to add or substitute one or more new traits in a variety. To
accomplish this, a genetic locus of the recurrent parent is modified or
substituted with the desired locus from the nonrecurrent parent, while
retaining essentially all of the rest of the desired genetic, and
therefore the desired physiological and morphological constitution of the
original plant. The choice of the particular nonrecurrent parent will
depend on the purpose of the backcross; one of the major purposes is to
add some commercially desirable, agronomically important trait to the
plant. The exact backcrossing protocol will depend on the characteristic
or trait being altered to determine an appropriate testing protocol.
Although backcrossing methods are simplified when the characteristic
being transferred is a dominant allele, a recessive allele may also be
transferred. In this instance it may be necessary to introduce a test of
the progeny to determine if the desired characteristic has been
successfully transferred.

[0051]Many traits have been identified that are not regularly selected for
in the development of a new variety but that can be improved by
backcrossing techniques. A genetic locus conferring the traits may or may
not be transgenic. Examples of such traits known to those of skill in the
art include, but are not limited to, male sterility, herbicide tolerance,
resistance for bacterial, fungal, or viral disease, insect resistance,
male fertility, enhanced nutritional quality and improved fiber
characteristics. These genes are generally inherited through the nucleus,
but may be inherited through the cytoplasm.

[0052]Direct selection may be applied where a genetic locus acts as a
dominant trait. An example of a dominant trait is the herbicide tolerance
trait. For this selection process, the progeny of the initial cross are
sprayed with the herbicide prior to the backcrossing. The spraying
eliminates any plants which do not have the desired herbicide tolerance
characteristic, and only those plants which have the herbicide tolerance
gene are used in the subsequent backcross. This process is then repeated
for all additional backcross generations.

[0053]Many useful traits are those which are introduced by genetic
transformation techniques. Methods for the genetic transformation of
cotton are known to those of skill in the art. For example, broadly
applicable plant transformation methods which have been described include
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, microprojectile bombardment,
electroporation, and direct DNA uptake by protoplasts.

[0054]Agrobacterium-mediated transfer is a widely applicable system for
introducing gene loci into plant cells, including cotton. An advantage of
the technique is that DNA can be introduced into whole plant tissues,
thereby bypassing the need for regeneration of an intact plant from a
protoplast. Modern Agrobacterium transformation vectors are capable of
replication in E. coli as well as Agrobacterium, allowing for convenient
manipulations (Klee et al., 1985). Moreover, recent technological
advances in vectors for Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer have
improved the arrangement of genes and restriction sites in the vectors to
facilitate the construction of vectors capable of expressing various
polypeptide coding genes. The vectors described have convenient
multi-linker regions flanked by a promoter and a polyadenylation site for
direct expression of inserted polypeptide coding genes. Additionally,
Agrobacterium containing both armed and disarmed Ti genes can be used for
transformation.

[0055]In those plant strains where Agrobacterium-mediated transformation
is efficient, it is the method of choice because of the facile and
defined nature of the gene locus transfer. The use of
Agrobacterium-mediated plant integrating vectors to introduce DNA into
plant cells is well known in the art (Fraley et al., 1985; U.S. Pat. No.
5,563,055). One efficient means for transformation of cotton in
particular is transformation and regeneration of cotton hypocotyl
explants following inoculation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens from
primary callus development, embryogenesis, embryogenic callus
identification, transgenic cotton shoot production and the development of
transgenic plants, as is known in the art.

[0056]To effect transformation by electroporation, for example, one may
employ either friable tissues, such as a suspension culture of cells or
embryogenic callus or alternatively one may transform immature embryos or
other organized tissue directly. In this technique, one would partially
degrade the cell walls of the chosen cells by exposing them to
pectin-degrading enzymes (pectolyases) or mechanically wound tissues in a
controlled manner. Protoplasts may also be employed for electroporation
transformation of plants (Bates, 1994; Lazzeri, 1995). For example, the
generation of transgenic cotyledon-derived protoplasts was described by
Dhir and Widholm in Intl. Patent Appl. Publ. No. WO 92/17598, the
disclosure of which is specifically incorporated herein by reference.
When protoplasts are used, transformation can also be achieved using
methods based on calcium phosphate precipitation, polyethylene glycol
treatment, and combinations of these treatments (see, e.g., Potrykus et
al., 1985; Omirulleh et al., 1993; Fromm et al., 1986; Uchimiya et al.,
1986; Marcotte et al., 1988).

[0057]Microprojectile bombardment is another efficient method for
delivering transforming DNA segments to plant cells. In this method,
particles are coated with nucleic acids and delivered into cells by a
propelling force. Exemplary particles include those comprised of
tungsten, platinum, and preferably, gold. For the bombardment, cells in
suspension are concentrated on filters or solid culture medium.
Alternatively, immature embryos or other target cells may be arranged on
solid culture medium. The cells to be bombarded are positioned at an
appropriate distance below the macroprojectile stopping plate.

[0058]Microprojectile bombardment techniques are widely applicable, and
may be used to transform virtually any plant species. The application of
microprojectile bombardment for the transformation of cotton is
described, for example, in Rajasekaran et al., 1996. An illustrative
embodiment of a method for microprojectile bombardment is the Biolistics
Particle Delivery System, which can be used to propel particles coated
with DNA or cells through a screen, such as a stainless steel or Nytex
screen, onto a surface covered with target cells. The screen disperses
the particles so that they are not delivered to the recipient cells in
large aggregates. It is believed that a screen intervening between the
projectile apparatus and the cells to be bombarded reduces the size of
projectiles aggregate and may contribute to a higher frequency of
transformation by reducing the damage inflicted on the recipient cells by
projectiles that are too large.

[0059]It is understood to those of skill in the art that a locus of
transgenic origin need not be directly transformed into a plant, as
techniques for the production of stably transformed cotton plants that
pass single loci to progeny by Mendelian inheritance is well known in the
art. Such single loci may therefore be passed from parent plant to
progeny plants by standard plant breeding techniques that are well known
in the art. Non-limiting examples of traits that may be introduced
directly or by backcrossing are presented below.

[0060]A. Male Sterility

[0061]Male sterility genes can increase the efficiency with which hybrids
are made, in that they eliminate the need to physically emasculate the
plant used as a female in a given cross. Where one desires to employ
male-sterility systems, it may be beneficial to also utilize one or more
male-fertility restorer genes. For example, where cytoplasmic male
sterility (CMS) is used, hybrid crossing requires three inbred lines: (1)
a cytoplasmically male-sterile line having a CMS cytoplasm; (2) a fertile
inbred with normal cytoplasm, which is isogenic with the CMS line for
nuclear genes ("maintainer line"); and (3) a distinct, fertile inbred
with normal cytoplasm, carrying a fertility restoring gene ("restorer"
line). The CMS line is propagated by pollination with the maintainer
line, with all of the progeny being male sterile, as the CMS cytoplasm is
derived from the female parent. These male sterile plants can then be
efficiently employed as the female parent in hybrid crosses with the
restorer line, without the need for physical emasculation of the male
reproductive parts of the female parent.

[0062]The presence of a male-fertility restorer gene results in the
production of fully fertile F1 hybrid progeny. If no restorer gene
is present in the male parent, male-sterile hybrids are obtained.
Examples of male-sterility genes and corresponding restorers which could
be employed with the plants of the invention are well known to those of
skill in the art of plant breeding. Examples of such genes include
CMS-D2-2 (Meyer, 1975), CMS-hir, CMS-D8 (Stewart, 1992), CMS-D4 (Meshram
et al., 1994), and CMS-C1 (Zhang and Stewart, 1999). Fertility can be
restored to CMS-D2-2 by the D2 restorer in which the restorer factor(s)
was introduced from the genome of G. harknessii Brandegee (D2-2).
Microsporogenesis in both CMS systems aborts during the premeiotic stage
(Black, 1997). One dominant restorer gene from the D8 restorer was
identified to restore fertility of CMS-D8 (Zhang and Stewart, 2001). The
D2 restorer for CMS-D2-2 also restores the fertility of CMS-D8, CMS-hir,
and CMS-C1 (Zhang and Stewart, 1999).

[0063]B. Herbicide Tolerance

[0064]Numerous herbicide tolerance genes are known and may be employed
with the plants of the invention. An example is a gene conferring
tolerance to a herbicide that inhibits the growing point or meristem,
such as imidazalinone or sulfonylurea. Exemplary genes in this category
code for mutant ALS and AHAS enzymes as described, for example, by Lee et
al., (1988); Gleen et al., (1992); Miki et al., (1990).

[0065]Tolerance genes for glyphosate (tolerance conferred by mutant
5-enolpyruvl-3 phosphikimate synthase (EPSP) and aroA genes) and other
phosphono compounds such as glufosinate (phosphinothricin acetyl
transferase (PAT) and Streptomyces hygroscopicus phosphinothricin-acetyl
transferase (bar) genes) may also be used. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
4,940,835 to Shah, et al., discloses the nucleotide sequence of a form of
EPSPS which can confer glyphosate tolerance. A DNA molecule encoding a
mutant aroA gene can be obtained under ATCC accession number 39256, and
the nucleotide sequence of the mutant gene is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,769,061 to Comai. European patent application No. 0 333 033 to Kumada
et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,374 to Goodman et al., disclose
nucleotide sequences of glutamine synthetase genes which confer tolerance
to herbicides such as L-phosphinothricin. The nucleotide sequence of a
phosphinothricin-acetyltransferase gene is provided in European
application No. 0 242 246 to Leemans et al. DeGreef et al., (1989),
describe the production of transgenic plants that express chimeric bar
genes coding for phosphinothricin acetyl transferase activity. Exemplary
genes conferring tolerance to herbicidal phenoxy propionic acids and
cycloshexones, such as sethoxydim and haloxyfop are the Acct-S1, Accl-S2
and Acct-S3 genes described by Marshall et al., (1992). U.S. Patent
Application No. 20030135879 describes isolation of a gene for dicamba
monooxygenase (DMO) from Pseudomonas maltophilia which is involved in the
conversion of a herbicidal form of the herbicide dicamba to a non-toxic
3,6-dichlorosalicylic acid and thus may be used for producing plants
tolerant to this herbicide.

[0066]Genes are also known conferring tolerance to a herbicide that
inhibits photosynthesis, such as triazine (psbA and gs+genes) and
benzonitrile (nitrilase gene). Przibilla et al., (1991), describe the
transformation of Chlamydomonas with plasmids encoding mutant psbA genes.
Nucleotide sequences for nitrilase genes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,810,648 to Stalker, and DNA molecules containing these genes are
available under ATCC Accession Nos. 53435, 67441, and 67442. Cloning and
expression of DNA coding for a glutathione S-transferase is described by
Hayes et al., (1992).

[0067]C. Disease Resistance

[0068]Plant defenses are often activated by specific interaction between
the product of a disease resistance gene (R) in the plant and the product
of a corresponding avirulence (Avr) gene in the pathogen. A plant line
can be transformed with cloned resistance gene to engineer plants that
are resistant to specific pathogen strains. See, for example Jones et
al., (1994) (cloning of the tomato Cf-9 gene for resistance to
Cladosporium fulvum); Martin et al., (1993) (tomato Pto gene for
resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato); Mindrinos et al., (1994)
(Arabidopsis RPS2 gene for resistance to Pseudomonas syringae). Logemann
et al., (1992), for example, disclose transgenic plants expressing a
barley ribosome-inactivating gene have an increased resistance to fungal
disease.

[0069]A viral-invasive protein or a complex toxin derived therefrom may
also be used for viral disease resistance. For example, the accumulation
of viral coat proteins in transformed plant cells imparts resistance to
viral infection and/or disease development effected by the virus from
which the coat protein gene is derived, as well as by related viruses.
See Beachy et al., (1990). Coat protein-mediated resistance has been
conferred upon transformed plants against alfalfa mosaic virus, cucumber
mosaic virus, tobacco streak virus, potato virus X, potato virus Y,
tobacco etch virus, tobacco rattle virus and tobacco mosaic virus.

[0070]A virus-specific antibody may also be used. See, for example,
Tavladoraki et al., (1993), who show that transgenic plants expressing
recombinant antibody genes are protected from virus attack.

[0071]D. Insect Resistance

[0072]One example of an insect resistance gene includes a Bacillus
thuringiensis protein, a derivative thereof, or a synthetic polypeptide
modeled thereon. See, for example, Geiser et al., (1986), who disclose
the cloning and nucleotide sequence of a Bt δ-endotoxin gene.
Moreover, DNA molecules encoding δ-endotoxin genes can be purchased
from the American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va., for example,
under ATCC Accession Nos. 40098, 67136, 31995 and 31998. Another example
is a lectin. See, for example, Van Damme et al., (1994), who disclose the
nucleotide sequences of several Clivia miniata mannose-binding lectin
genes. A vitamin-binding protein may also be used, such as avidin. See
PCT application Ser. No. 93/06487, the contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference. This application teaches the use of avidin and
avidin homologues as larvicides against insect pests.

[0074]Still other examples include an insect-specific antibody or an
immunotoxin derived therefrom and a developmental-arrestive protein. See
Taylor et al., (1994), who described enzymatic inactivation in transgenic
tobacco via production of single-chain antibody fragments.

[0077]Phytate metabolism may also be modified by introduction of a
phytase-encoding gene to enhance breakdown of phytate, adding more free
phosphate to the transformed plant. For example, see Van Hartingsveldt et
al., (1993), for a disclosure of the nucleotide sequence of an
Aspergillus niger phytase gene. This, for example, could be accomplished
by cloning and then reintroducing DNA associated with the single allele
which is responsible for mutants characterized by low levels of phytic
acid. See Raboy et al., (1990).

[0078]A number of genes are known that may be used to alter carbohydrate
metabolism. For example, plants may be transformed with a gene coding for
an enzyme that alters the branching pattern of starch. See Shiroza et
al., (1988) (nucleotide sequence of Streptococcus mutans
fructosyltransferase gene), Steinmetz et al., (1985) (nucleotide sequence
of Bacillus subtilis levansucrase gene), Pen et al., (1992) (production
of transgenic plants that express Bacillus licheniformis
α-amylase), Elliot et al., (1993) (nucleotide sequences of tomato
invertase genes), Sergaard et al., (1993) (site-directed mutagenesis of
barley α-amylase gene), and Fisher et al., (1993) (maize endosperm
starch branching enzyme II). The Z10 gene encoding a 10 kD zein storage
protein from maize may also be used to alter the quantities of 10 kD zein
in the cells relative to other components (Kirihara et al., 1988).

[0079]F. Improved Cotton Fiber Characteristics

[0080]Fiber characteristics such as fiber quality of quantity represent
another example of a trait that may be modified in cotton varieties. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,588 describes transgenic cotton plants
transformed with a sucrose phosphate synthase nucleic acid to alter fiber
characteristics such as strength, length, fiber fineness, fiber maturity
ratio, immature fiber content, fiber uniformity, and micronaire. Cotton
plants comprising one or more genes coding for an enzyme selected from
the group consisting of endoxyloglucan transferase, catalase and
peroxidase for the improvement of cotton fiber characteristics are also
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,563,022. Cotton modification using
ovary-tissue transcriptional factors preferentially directing gene
expression in ovary tissue, particularly in very early fruit development,
utilized to express genes encoding isopentenyl transferase in cotton
ovule tissue and modify the characteristics of boll set in cotton plants
and alter fiber quality characteristics including fiber dimension and
strength is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,570. A gene controlling the
fiber formation mechanism in cotton plants is described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,169,174.

[0081]Genes involved in lignin biosynthesis are described by Dwivedi et
al., (1994); Tsai et al., (1995); U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,514 (claiming the
use of cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase gene in an antisense orientation
such that the endogenous plant cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase gene is
inhibited).

III. Tissue Cultures and In Vitro Regeneration of Cotton Plants

[0082]A further aspect of the invention relates to tissue cultures of the
cotton variety designated 468300G. As used herein, the term "tissue
culture" indicates a composition comprising isolated cells of the same or
a different type or a collection of such cells organized into parts of a
plant. Exemplary types of tissue cultures are protoplasts, calli and
plant cells that are intact in plants or parts of plants, such as
embryos, pollen, flowers, leaves, roots, root tips, anthers, and the
like. In a preferred embodiment, the tissue culture comprises embryos,
protoplasts, meristematic cells, pollen, leaves or anthers.

[0083]An important ability of a tissue culture is the capability to
regenerate fertile plants. This allows, for example, transformation of
the tissue culture cells followed by regeneration of transgenic plants.
For transformation to be efficient and successful, DNA must be introduced
into cells that give rise to plants or germ-line tissue.

[0084]Plants typically are regenerated via two distinct processes; shoot
morphogenesis and somatic embryogenesis (Finer, 1996). Shoot
morphogenesis is the process of shoot meristem organization and
development. Shoots grow out from a source tissue and are excised and
rooted to obtain an intact plant. During somatic embryogenesis, an embryo
(similar to the zygotic embryo), containing both shoot and root axes, is
formed from somatic plant tissue. An intact plant rather than a rooted
shoot results from the germination of the somatic embryo.

[0085]Shoot morphogenesis and somatic embryogenesis are different
processes and the specific route of regeneration is primarily dependent
on the explant source and media used for tissue culture manipulations.
While the systems are different, both systems show variety-specific
responses where some lines are more responsive to tissue culture
manipulations than others. A line that is highly responsive in shoot
morphogenesis may not generate many somatic embryos. Lines that produce
large numbers of embryos during an induction step may not give rise to
rapidly-growing proliferative cultures. Therefore, it may be desired to
optimize tissue culture conditions for each cotton line. These
optimizations may readily be carried out by one of skill in the art of
tissue culture through small-scale culture studies. In addition to
line-specific responses, proliferative cultures can be observed with both
shoot morphogenesis and somatic embryogenesis. Proliferation is
beneficial for both systems, as it allows a single, transformed cell to
multiply to the point that it will contribute to germ-line tissue.

[0086]Embryogenic cultures can also be used successfully for regeneration,
including regeneration of transgenic plants, if the origin of the embryos
is recognized and the biological limitations of proliferative embryogenic
cultures are understood. Biological limitations include the difficulty in
developing proliferative embryogenic cultures and reduced fertility
problems (culture-induced variation) associated with plants regenerated
from long-term proliferative embryogenic cultures. Some of these problems
are accentuated in prolonged cultures. The use of more recently cultured
cells may decrease or eliminate such problems.

IV. Definitions

[0087]In the description and tables which follow, a number of terms are
used. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of the
specification and claims, the following definitions are provided:

[0088]A: When used in conjunction with the word "comprising" or other open
language in the claims, the words "a" and "an" denote "one or more."

[0089]Allele: Any of one or more alternative forms of a gene locus, all of
which alleles relate to one trait or characteristic. In a diploid cell or
organism, the two alleles of a given gene occupy corresponding loci on a
pair of homologous chromosomes.

[0090]Backcrossing: A process in which a breeder repeatedly crosses hybrid
progeny, for example a first generation hybrid (F1), back to one of
the parents of the hybrid progeny. Backcrossing can be used to introduce
one or more single locus conversions from one genetic background into
another.

[0091]Crossing: The mating of two parent plants.

[0092]Cross-pollination: Fertilization by the union of two gametes from
different plants.

[0093]Desired Agronomic Characteristics: Agronomic characteristics (which
will vary from crop to crop and plant to plant) such as yield, maturity,
pest resistance and lint percent which are desired in a commercially
acceptable crop or plant. For example, improved agronomic characteristics
for cotton include yield, maturity, fiber content and fiber qualities.

[0094]Diploid: A cell or organism having two sets of chromosomes.

[0095]Disease Resistance: The ability of plants to restrict the activities
of a specified pest, such as an insect, fungus, virus, or bacterial.

[0096]Disease Tolerance: The ability of plants to endure a specified pest
(such as an insect, fungus, virus or bacteria) or an adverse
environmental condition and still perform and produce in spite of this
disorder.

[0097]Donor Parent: The parent of a variety which contains the gene or
trait of interest which is desired to be introduced into a second
variety.

[0098]ELS: The abbreviation for "Extra Long Staple." ELS is the group
classification for cotton in the longest staple length category. As used
in practice and for commerce, ELS denotes varieties belonging to the
species G. barbadense that have superior fiber qualities, including
classification in the longest staple length category.

[0099]Emasculate: The removal of plant male sex organs or the inactivation
of the organs with a cytoplasmic or nuclear genetic factor or a chemical
agent conferring male sterility.

[0100]Essentially all the physiological and morphological characteristics:
A plant having essentially all the physiological and morphological
characteristics means a plant having the physiological and morphological
characteristics, except for the characteristics derived from the desired
trait.

[0101]F1 Hybrid: The first generation progeny of the cross of two
nonisogenic plants.

[0102]Fallout (Fo): As used herein, the term "fallout" refers to the
rating of how much cotton has fallen on the ground at harvest.

[0103]2.5% Fiber Span Length: Refers to the longest 2.5% of a bundle of
fibers expressed in inches as measured by a digital fibergraph.

[0105]Fiber Elongation: Sometimes referred to as E1, refers to the
elongation of the fiber at the point of breakage in the strength
determination as measured by High Volume Instrumentation (HVI).

[0106]Fiber Span Length: The distance spanned by a specific percentage of
fibers in a test specimen, where the initial starting point of the
scanning in the test is considered 100 percent as measured by a digital
fibergraph.

[0107]Fiber Strength: Also referred to as T1, denotes the force required
to break a bundle of fibers. Fiber strength is expressed in millinewtons
(mn) per tex on a stelometer.

[0108]Fruiting Nodes: The number of nodes on the main stem from which
arise branches that bear fruit or boll in the first position.

[0109]Genotype: The genetic constitution of a cell or organism.

[0110]Gin Turnout: Refers to fraction of lint in a machine harvested
sample of seed cotton (lint, seed, and trash).

[0111]Haploid: A cell or organism having one set of the two sets of
chromosomes in a diploid.

[0112]Linkage: A phenomenon wherein alleles on the same chromosome tend to
segregate together more often than expected by chance if their
transmission was independent.

[0115]Lint Yield: Refers to the measure of the quantity of fiber produced
on a given unit of land. Presented below in pounds of lint per acre.

[0116]Lint/boll: As used herein, the term "lint/boll" is the weight of
lint per boll.

[0117]Maturity Rating: A visual rating near harvest on the amount of open
boils on the plant. The rating range is from 1 to 5, 1 being early and 5
being late.

[0118]Micronaire: A measure of the fineness of the fiber. Within a cotton
cultivar, micronaire is also a measure of maturity. Micronaire
differences are governed by changes in perimeter or in cell wall
thickness, or by changes in both. Within a variety, cotton perimeter is
fairly consistent and maturity will cause a change in micronaire.
Consequently, micronaire has a high correlation with maturity within a
variety of cotton. Maturity is the degree of development of cell wall
thickness. Micronaire may not have a good correlation with maturity
between varieties of cotton having different fiber perimeter. Micronaire
values range from about 2.0 to 6.0.

[0119]Phenotype: The detectable characteristics of a cell or organism,
which characteristics are the manifestation of gene expression.

[0120]Plant Height: The average height in meters of a group of plants.

[0121]Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL): Quantitative trait loci (QTL) refer
to genetic loci that control to some degree numerically representable
traits that are usually continuously distributed.

[0122]Recurrent Parent: The repeating parent (variety) in a backcross
breeding program. The recurrent parent is the variety into which a gene
or trait is desired to be introduced.

[0123]Regeneration: The development of a plant from tissue culture.

[0124]Seed/boll: Refers to the number of seeds per boll.

[0125]Seedcotton/boll: Refers to the weight of seedcotton per boll.

[0126]Seedweight: Refers to the weight of 100 seeds in grams.

[0127]Self-pollination: The transfer of pollen from the anther to the
stigma of the same plant or a plant of the same genotype.

[0128]Single Locus Converted (Conversion) Plant: Plants which are
developed by a plant breeding technique called backcrossing wherein
essentially all of the desired morphological and physiological
characteristics of a variety are recovered in addition to the
characteristics conferred by the single locus transferred into the
variety via the backcrossing technique. A single locus may comprise one
gene, or in the case of transgenic plants, one or more transgenes
integrated into the host genome at a single site (locus).

[0129]Stringout Rating: also sometimes referred to as "Storm Resistance"
refers to a visual rating prior to harvest of the relative looseness of
the seed cotton held in the boll structure on the plant. The rating
values are from 1 to 5 (tight to loose in the boll).

[0130]Substantially Equivalent: A characteristic that, when compared, does
not show a statistically significant difference (e.g., p=0.05) from the
mean.

[0131]Tissue Culture: A composition comprising isolated cells of the same
or a different type or a collection of such cells organized into parts of
a plant.

[0132]Transgene: A genetic locus comprising a sequence which has been
introduced into the genome of a cotton plant by transformation.

[0133]Uniformity Ratio: A measure of the relative fiber span length
uniformity of a bundle of fibers. The uniformity ratio is determined by
dividing the 50% fiber span length by the 2.5% fiber span length.

[0134]Vegetative Nodes: The number of nodes from the cotyledonary node to
the first fruiting branch on the main stem of the plant.

V. Deposit Information

[0135]Applicant made a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of cotton variety
468300G disclosed herein with the American Type Culture Collection
(ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209 USA. The
accession number for the deposit is ATCC Accession No. PTA-8886 and the
date of deposit is Jan. 16, 2008. Access to this deposit will be
available during the pendency of the application to the Commissioner of
Patents and Trademarks and persons determined by the Commissioner to be
entitled thereto upon request. The deposit will be maintained for a
period of 30 years, or 5 years after the most recent request, or for the
enforceable life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced
if it becomes nonviable during that period. Applicant does not waive any
infringement of rights granted under this patent or under the Plant
Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2321 et seq.).